Prop 28 passes, Lacey leads in LA County DA race

Alice Walton

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11:35 PM: With 36 percent of precincts reporting, Jackie Lacey and Allen Jackson lead the race for L.A. County district attorney – outpacing the frontrunner Trutanich, who had been expected to coast to a run-off. Meanwhile, California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 28, amending term limits for state politicians. Returns for another proposition, Prop 29, that would tax cigarettes to fund cancer research were evenly split with 46 percent of precincts reporting.

11:00 PM: With 5 percent of precincts reporting, 30th Congressional district candidates Howard Berman and Brad Sherman's campaigns seemed upbeat at their late-night election soirees. Videographer/photographer Grant Slater reports that balloons were bouncing and the party was boisterous at Berman's campaign headquarters. Things were slightly more sedate at Encino's Gate to the Mediterranean restaurant, where Sherman was hosting his campaign party. The two are widely expected to meet again in November for a run-off.

10:20 PM: Early results in the race for Los Angeles district attorney have Chief Deputy DA Jackie Lacey and Deputy DA Alan Jackson leading. L.A. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich had been favored for the lead, given his high-profile position and name recognition. But it's still early, with only 5 percent of precincts reporting.

9:30 PM: Propositions 28 and 29 were hanging on tonight with 65.3 percent and 51.3 percent, respectively, with 12 percent of precincts reporting.

8:43 PM: The chief of staff to a Los Angeles city councilman was leading tonight in the race for the state Assembly's 46th District, based on mail-in ballots. Adrin Nazarian was ahead with 34.7 percent of the vote. Republican Jay Stern was in second with 21 percent, based on 2.4 percent reporting.

In the race for the Assembly's 39th District, Raul Bocanegra, chief of staff to incumbent Felipe Fuentes, was ahead with 36.6 percent of the vote. Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon had 25 percent of the vote, based on 12 percent of precincts reporting.

On the Westside, Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom was leading with 28.1 percent of the vote, followed by Bradly Torgan with 27.9 percent of the vote. Assemblywoman Betsy Butler had 24.6 percent, and Torie Osborn rounded out the field with 19.4 percent of the vote, based on 3.5 percent of precincts reporting.

8:32 PM: In the race for Congress' 30th District, Rep. Brad Sherman had 39.3 percent of the vote with 2.5 percent of precincts reporting. His biggest challenger, Rep. Howard Berman, was in second with 34.2 percent of the vote. Because of the state's new top-two primary system, both Democrats could go to the November runoff if they are the top vote-getters.

Rep. Janice Hahn was leading Rep. Laura Richardson 62.1 percent to 37.9 percent with 6.5 percent of the vote counted. As the only two in the race, both women will be in the November runoff.

8:20 PM: With 4.4 percent of precincts reporting, Chief Deputy District Attorney Jackie Lacey was leading in the race for district attorney with 31.6 percent of the vote. Behind Lacey were Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson with 23.5 percent of the vote and Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich with 22.8 percent.

Statewide, both Proposition 28 and Proposition 29 were passing with 66.2 percent and 53.5 percent of the vote, respectively. Those results were with 6 percent of precincts reporting.

With the polls now closed, voter turnout was expected to be low in today’s election, which gave Californians their first taste of new districts and a new primary system that ignores party affiliation.

As of 7 p.m., the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk had voter turnout at 23.5 percent. That figure does not include absentee ballots. A Field Poll released today estimated turnout would be 35 percent across the state. Four years ago, the presidential primary drew 55.26 percent voter turnout in the county.

In Los Angeles County, the major race was for district attorney, where six candidates are vying to replace outgoing District Attorney Steve Cooley. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich was expected to lead the pack, which also included Chief Deputy District Attorney Jackie Lacey and deputy district attorneys Alan Jackson, Danette Meyers, Bobby Grace and John Breault III.

Statewide, voters were asked to approve two ballot measures. Proposition 28 would reduce the total amount of time state lawmakers can spend in Sacramento from 14 years to 12 years. However, all of that time could be spent in either the Assembly or state Senate, where politicians are currently limited to 6 years and 8 years, respectively.

Proposition 29 would increase the tax on tobacco products by $1 to fund cancer research and anti-smoking efforts. About $47 million was spent in opposition to Proposition 29, much of it coming from Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds.

The results of 270,000 mail-in ballots will be released about 8:30 p.m. Other ballot returns are expected to be posted beginning at 9:30 p.m.